Cheeseburger Soup

Southern Living, 2004

MAKES 12 CUPS

    1/2 pound lean ground beef                                     
    1/2 cup chopped onions                                         
    3/4 cup shredded carrots                                       
    3/4 cup chopped celery                                         
    1 teaspoon dried basil                                         
    1 teaspoon dried parsley                                       
    6 cups chicken broth                                           
    2 pounds potatoes peel, dice                                   
    3 tablespoons butter                                           
    1/4 cup flour                                                  
    3/4 pound cheese (cheddar, American, etc...)                
    1 1/2 cups milk                                                
    3/4 teaspoon salt                                              
    1/2 teaspoon pepper                                            

PREP: 30 MIN/COOK: 40 MIN.

Have a bottle of hot sauce handy for adult party guests to heat up their soup.

COOK ground beef in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat about 3 minutes, stirring until meat crumbles.

Add onion and next 4 ingredients, and saute 4 minutes or until beef is no longer pink. Drain well. Return beef mixture to Dutch oven. STIR in chicken broth and potatoes. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 10 to 12 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

MELT 3 tablespoons butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Gradually stir in flour, and cook, stirring constantly, 2 to 3 minutes or until flour is lightly browned. Whisk flour mixture into simmering beef mixture; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 6 minutes or until thickened.

WHISK in cheese and next 3 ingredients just until cheese melts.